Quick Reaction: Clippers 103, Raptors 121

Once again, Pascal assumed the toughest defensive assignment of the night — Tobias Harris. It’s tough for any guy to defend such high-level players game-in, game-out. It’s tougher to do it while still being one of your team’s primary factors offensively. Siakam does it, and makes it look easy.

Stay away, stay far away. Lawrence Frank and Steve Ballmer led the Clippers contingent present at Scotiabank Arena today. We all know why. In this one, Kawhi played like a superstar — a superstar that would be foolish to leave Toronto for whatever the heck that is in Los Angeles.

Ibaka had a double-double just 13 minutes into the game. His activity was excellent and he made his fair share of shots all around the floor. Kudos to Ibaka on his sixth straight double-double. The man is straight eating people’s lunch.

VanVleet knew his team would rely on him a lot more than usual today. Kyle Lowry was out with a lingering back issue which meant more minutes and responsibility for FVV. He took the job by the horns today and played an solid all-around game.

Green did what he had to do in today’s matinee game. He didn’t get many shots up with so many Raptors having the hot-hand, but he dished the ball around with success and displayed the usual high-intensity defense that Nurse emphasizes.

CJ came in and made an instant impact. We’re starting to see a trend of consistency from Miles that lacked all season. Even though he’s still a bit more hesitant than usual, his shooting stroke seems to be fully back (don’t jinx it, Sahal).

Delon dominated in the minutes he was given. To be fair, he should’ve been on the floor longer than VanVleet, but having him lead the bench unit + mixing him up with the starters worked wonders today. Arguably the best player on the court.

Norm didn’t hit shots at a rate he would’ve liked, but he hit big ones. A floater in the 2nd quarter that was the start of a large Raptors run and a massive transition layup to break a Clippers run in the 3rd.

I’ve maintained that McCaw was a great addition for this roster, especially with the role he’s been given so far. It’s not a big one, and sometimes it’s not even a role at all — but depth can never be a bad thing.

Just enough minutes today for our beloved Canadian boy. I mean, when the Clippers have guys like Montrezl Harrell and Boban on the court, you naturally want to avoid having the wiry Boucher out there as a ‘big’ defensive assignment. Luckily, he got his time at the end of a Raptors blowout and played DAMN good.

Not enough minutes for Loyd, but I will say in the several he was given — I can see why he absolutely dominates in the G-League. His game reminds me of Norman Powell in his ability to initiate offense and glide in transition.

B+

Nick Nurse

Let’s be honest, for a team on three-nights rest, at home, versus the Los Angeles freakin’ Clippers —Toronto came out flat. Pathetic, to be frank. It wasn’t until the 2nd quarter the team played like their 37-16 record indicated. I had Nurse in the low ‘C’ range very early, but he redeemed himself with several key in-game adjustments.

Things We Saw

WELCOME BACK SHAI. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finally made his Canadian NBA debut by playing in Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena — a little over an hour drive from his hometown in Hamilton, Ontario. The butterflies I’m sure he was feeling didn’t seem to affect his game as he impressed throughout with his refined offensive game, and his length on defense. An individual who is surely a large part of Canada Basketball’s future. Welcome home, my guy.

Do I really have to write all that much to tell you that this is the second time in just over a month the Los Angeles Clippers have posted some wildly poor performances versus Toronto. Looks like their recruiting pitch to Kawhi Leonard will be reduced to “Hey Kawhi, you could always be the third-wheel in Tobias and Boban’s friendship”.

Don’t panic. Lowry’s fine. It’s just your typical load management for a 32 year-old starting guard whose age (and minute count from the last four seasons) is finally catching up to him. This back injury will linger all season long, so you really have no choice but to rest him against the lesser teams in the NBA. Lowry’s not displaying the consistency this season we’re accustomed to, but I’d much rather this now than it flaring up in April or May.

For all the American football fans reading this, enjoy Super Bowl Sunday! Should be a good one.